A newMCUtheory makes Bucky Barnes' HYDRA brainwashing and the storyline ofCaptain America: The Winter Soldiereven more heartbreaking. After he was reawakened in the modern era and recruited into the MCU’s original Avengers team, Steve Rogers' Captain America remained under the employ of Nick Fury and SHIELD, becoming the organization’s most elite officer. This, however, put Captain America in the middle of the action whenHYDRA, the society he’d fought during WWII, revealed that it had been growing within SHIELD with the help of their own super-soldier.
Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barneshad seemingly lost his life during a mission inCaptain America: The First Avenger, but 2014’sThe Winter Soldierbrought him back as the titular HYDRA-controlled assassin. While he is still haunted by his actions as the Winter Soldier,Bucky has since freed himself from HYDRA’s brainwashing, with help from the residents of Wakanda, and has rebuilt his strong friendship with Steve Rogers. It’s this powerful bond that informs a new MCU theory, however, suggesting thatBucky’s friendship with Steve Rogersmight have been his downfall.
Chris Evans & Young Robert Redford Look Strikingly Similar
Robert Redford Played Alexander Pierce In Captain America: The Winter Soldier & Avengers: Endgame
In recent weeks, some have noticed that there are striking similarities in the physical appearances of Chris Evans and a young Robert Redford. Robert Redford joined the MCU as high-ranking HYDRA member and SHIELD’s World Security Council Undersecretary,Alexander Pierce, inCaptain America: The Winter Soldier. Redford started acting in the 1960s in projects such asWar HuntandInside Daisy CloverandButch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, andhis appearance back then was very reminiscent of Chris Evans as a 1940s-era Captain America in the MCU, supporting a heartbreaking new Winter Soldier theory.
Alexander Pierce May Have Been Chosen As The Winter Soldier’s Handler For A Sinister Reason
Alexander Pierce Might Have Exploited Bucky Barnes & Steve Rogers' Friendship
A new theory shared onInstagramplays off the idea that Chris Evans and a young Robert Redford look similar, noting thatAlexander Pierce in the MCU may have looked like Steve Rogers at the time of Bucky Barnes' brainwashing.Captain America: The Winter Soldierrevealed thatAlexander Pierce was Bucky Barnes' handlerwithin HYDRA, and he may have been given this role because of his similar appearance to Steve Rogers. Anyone else trying to control the Winter Soldier would definitely have been taken down, but the fact that Pierce looked like Rogers may have placated Bucky’s aggression.
By simply looking like Steve Rogers,Alexander Pierce may have been a calming influence on Bucky Barnes' subconscious, even if the Winter Solder didn’t remember his friend. This would have made Pierce the perfect brainwashing tool, as Bucky may have believed that it was, in fact, his childhood friend giving him commands to carry out the heinous acts he did as the Winter Soldier. Sebastian Stan has expressed interest inprequel movies focused on Bucky Barnes, exploring his activities prior toCaptain America: The Winter Soldier, so Marvel could actually explore Alexander Pierce’s history, too.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Cast
Captain America: The Winter Soldier, directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, follows Steve Rogers as he adapts to contemporary life while confronting a new adversary, the mysterious Winter Soldier, amidst internal threats to S.H.I.E.L.D. The film explores themes of trust and loyalty as Rogers teams up with allies to uncover hidden conspiracies.
